Jury finds Toledo man not guilty of murder
2/18/2011
BLADE STAFF
Ray Gott was found not guilty of murder, but was convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
A Toledo man was acquitted of murder Friday night but found guilty of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter for the April shooting death of a man during a fight at a central city apartment complex.
Ray Gott, 48, of 30 West Weber St. was also found not guilty of felonious assault.
Gott was initially charged with murder with a gun specification for the shooting death of Edward Christopher Lee, 35, and with felonious assault with a gun specification for the shooting Sherlon McKenzie, during an April 4 altercation in the parking lot of the Moody Manor apartments.
Judge Stacy Cook set a Feb. 28 sentencing date where he faces up to 13 years in prison.
The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for about 17 hours over two days before reaching a decision Friday. Twenty-three witnesses testified and more than 50 exhibits were presented over the seven-day trial.